For parents who struggle with getting their children to eat vegetables, the results of a recent study conducted by Dutch researchers may be helpful. In this study, vegetables were cooked in a variety of ways (i.e. steamed, boiled, grilled, deep fried, stir-fried and mashed) and then children, ages 4-12 years old, were asked which way they tasted the best.
Perhaps surprisingly, the children preferred steamed and boiled vegetables the most. The researchers believe that this may be because the vegetables are crunchier, more familiar tasting and have less browning when prepared in these methods.
Keeping things simple when preparing vegetables, may actually be the best method for getting children to increase vegetable consumption. You can also try serving the vegetables raw, if your child doesn’t seem to go for the cooked veggies. Also, remember that a child’s taste buds are constantly evolving. Just because a child doesn’t like a vegetable when they first try it doesn’t mean that they won’t like it at some point down the road.
For more information about the study, click here.